







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Oh, your girlfriend's cat... Does she live here with you? | |
| Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | |
| He also wants to increase our rent by 50%! | |
| I like girls' nights out. | |
| Okay, the grated one's 20% off today. | |
| Sorry, they don't serve chips here... | |
| Bear's sitting here with me, his willy is out. | |
| Erm... They pay 170 weekly. | |
| I'm sorry to say that no pets are allowed in the house! | |
| There are plenty more, but I think gumtree.com is the best. | |
| Do you want me to get you a glass of wine? | |
| I think so, he can look around while Bear is not here. | |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | |
| Is one bunch enough for you? | |
| Is that what you want to do? | |
| Why don't we pay 100 more each, and get a house in Mayfair? | |
| No, I haven't, I don't know what's yours in the fridge. | |
| Anyway, this is Cate and her friends from work. | |
| Hello, is that Cate? | |
| There is no table for you, then! | |